'The best time of the year for produce': pears and pumpkins among Australia's best-value fruit and veg for April
Dean Lamb, the owner of Watts Fresh in Kyneton, Victoria says now "is the best time of the year for produce". By the end of April, all apples will be in peak season, from the popular Pink Ladies to Jazz and Kanzi at about $4.90 a kilo. If you want to branch out, pears are another go-to this month, coming in cheaper than apples at about $3.50 to $4 a kilo.
Source: theguardian.com
UK supermarket Ocado says Haythornthwaite to step down as chair next year
British online supermarket Ocado said Chairman Rick Haythornthwaite will step down next year due to his "increasing commitment" at banking group NatWest. "Since the announcement of my appointment as group chair of NatWest I have given extensive thought to my workload ... it has become evident that pressure on my time is likely to increase over the medium term," Haythornthwaite said in a statement.
Source: reuters.com
Austria: Lidl reports growth in market share in FY 2023
Lidl Austria has seen a 0.6% increase in market share to 5.9% in its financial year 2023, data from GfK showed. Local companies that collaborated with the discounter generated over €1.1bln in added value, including €500mln through exports of local food to other countries, the company added.
source: esmmagazine.com
France: Carrefour chief Bompard gets over 4.5mln euros for 2023
Alexandre Bompard, the CEO of Carrefour, will receive a remuneration of at least 4.5mln euros for the year 2023. Shares may be added as a bonus at the end of May.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Tesco issues 'important' warning to shoppers who buy onions and garlic
Tesco has issued an important warning to shoppers and customers who buy onions and garlic. Tesco says shoppers and customers should be following their important advice and guidance when it comes to storage. Tesco explained: "At Tesco, we believe in the importance of expertly selecting our seasonal produce for its freshness and quality. Our brown onions come from trusted growers across the UK. One of our growers, the Rix family, has been growing onions for three generations in the light, sandy soils of the Stour Valley on the Essex/Suffolk border. The brown onions are carefully harvested in the warm and dry summer months, giving them a crisp outer skin that protects the juicy layers inside. Store in a cool, dry place."
Source: birminghammail.co.uk
UK supermarket sales rise 5.4%, NIQ market researcher says
British supermarket total sales rose by 5.4% year-over-year in the four weeks to March 23 as slowing inflation encouraged shoppers to increase their purchases, industry data showed. The increase was slightly stronger than the 5.3% rise reported a month earlier, market researcher NIQ said.
Source: reuters.com
Sweden: Coop announces two new appointments
Coop Sweden has named Krister Thid as the new business manager of its X:-tra chain. Elsewhere, Sven Skarlöv, the former business manager for X:-tra, has stepped in as the business manager for the Coop chain.
source: esmmagazine.com
Britain's Co-op profit falls sharply amid stiff competition
The company, which also has funerals, insurance, and legal businesses, reported a group profit before tax of £28mln (€32.7mln) for 2023, compared with £268mln (€312.8mln) in the preceding year. Group revenue dropped by £200mln (€233.5mln) to £11.3bln (€13.2bln), as a result of the divestment of its petrol forecourt business in the second half of 2022.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Pukpip secures first major UK retail listing with Ocado
Frozen snacking brand Pukpip has secured its first major UK retail listing, with Ocado Retail. From April, Pukpip's freshly frozen Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate Dipped Bananas will be available to buy in multipacks of three at Ocado Retail (RRP £3 per box).
Source: kamcity.com
Behind the continued success of ALDI and Lidl
According to new research from Placer.ai, visits to both ALDI and Lidl have continued to grow year-over-year. Monthly visits to ALDI in February were up 28.5% year-over-year, while Lidl's year-over-year foot traffic growth for the month was slightly lower at 8.6%.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Big Y seeking local products for newest stores
Big Y has launched a Local Vendor Discovery Tour to find vendors in the surrounding areas of its newest stores in Brookfield, Middletown, and Westport, Connecticut. The regional grocer already collaborates with more than 500 local businesses with 4,000-plus individual local products, which can be found across every department in its stores. These products include soda, artisan bread, chocolate, soap, coffee, honey, meat, fruits and vegetables, baked goods, maple syrup, and kielbasa.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: CRISP & GREEN expands Midwest presence with 11 new locations
CRISP & GREEN®, a Minnesota-based fast-casual restaurant serving healthy, whole meals including grain bowls, salads, and smoothies, announced that it will open 11 new restaurant locations across the Chicagoland area beginning next year. These new locations - slated to break ground in the fall - will cover the Milwaukee suburbs of Waukesha and New Berlin as well as the Chicago suburbs of Wheaton and Bolingbrook, adding to the existing 200 CRISP & GREEN locations already under development.
Source: prnewswire.com
'We were juicing before it became chic': Natalie's Juice on building a $140mln business
Now in its 35th year of juicing oranges, Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Co. is squeezing opportunities for more growth. Natalie's is based in Florida but ships around the world to 15 countries. Last year, Natalie's expanded to more U.S. states (Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington), upped its retail presence (it's currently in Albertsons, Whole Foods, Publix, and other grocers) and opened an additional manufacturing facility.
Source: modernretail.co
US: Kroger's Home Chef launches food waste program
Home Chef announced the launch of a new sustainability-focused program that will redirect surplus food and reduce waste in its manufacturing and production process. The meal kit company partnered with local nonprofit organizations across its four facilities to streamline the food donation process. These latest efforts build on Home Chef's commitment to reach the USDA and EPA's goal of a 50% reduction in food waste and loss by 2030.
Source: grocerydive.com
Wisconsin Grocers Association names Michael Semmann as president and CEO
The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) has named Michael Semmann as its new president and CEO. Semmann brings over 25 years of trade association experience and joined WGA as the VP of government affairs.
Source: supermarketnews.com